peter rabbit

I need to replace my auxilliary cooling fans. So, while I'm doing that I want to flush and re-fill the coolant since it is time. I've never done a flush/refill on this car, so I'm unsure how to. From other threads I know there are two drain plugs and to use MB coolant. I've also read one way to refill is to use a screwdriver to open the t-stat, fill through that, then fill the radiator through the upper hose. Does anyone have instructions, or should I download a service/repair manual from one of the numerous sites that offer them - or should I just have a competent shop do it?

taz069

Bud all i did to mine was open the bottom of the radiator and let it all drain out. Didn't drain the block. As far as using mb antifreeze didn't use it. Used distilled water, a small bottle of water wetter, and a small amount of antifreeze. Ran the car for a bit to let it all recirculate and cool and added some more distilled water to top it off. Also check into club 202. They are a club that is geared to the w202 cars that we have. I personally learned a ton. And it doesn't take 2 weeks to get a response. Never more than 1-3 days. Good luck hope this helps.

peter rabbit

Thanks

zjarguz

My 97 MB C 280 with 144 K.ml works perfect: no dashboard lights, never overheat, engine oil clean, nice and same normal level, no visible any leaking, but in coolant reservoir is grey-brownish fat like oil in antifreeze. Mechanics say HEAD GASKET leaking. It would be disaster! I wanted flash the cooling system , but two shops refused to do the job. What is your opinion? I am real old man and can not afford another car. I would appreciate your helpful advice. Thanks in advance.

taz069

Do as the previous post has suggested. Drain from the bottom of the radiator on the driver side. Once that is all out start the car for less than a minute to push more water from the block to the radiator. Then drain again. I use the Preston 50/50 in my lil 96 c280. At 15$ a gallon dang near Mercedes prices. Once that is done fill with tap water and repeat process to clean out other or left over goop. Then fill with the required amount of proper fluid. Now if you are not sure if this works fill with water and run for 50-100 miles then check fluid colors and flush. Hope this helps a little!

zjarguz

Thank you. I will try. But this oil is from leaking head gasket? If so, may I use some stop leaking like Blue Devil?

taz069

Try the above first. It is hard to say unless you do a compression check on all cylinders. Not clear on this if stop leak was used that is the cloudy mix. The coolant. System will only cycle what is needed and take from the resovioir when required. Was the tank getting low? How many miles before tank got low? What was used at the time and how much was used?? If you put a whole jug of bars stop leak into a half filled overflow tank then that answers some questions. How many miles before you put 1/2 a gallon to the resovioir, adding to the bars already their??
Trying to help no offense ment just questions. Hope this helps.

taz069

Before anything is added to the coolant for a broke head gasket Do A COMPRESSION CHECK!! A tool for that runs in the 50 -150$ RANGE!! ELIMINATE BEFORE YOU SPEND YOUR CASH. Or buy into a shadey shop!! More food for thought.

zjarguz

Dear Taz 069,
Thank you again for your professional directions and questions. I enjoyed this car since two years and specialist for Mercedes after change oil every 3000 miles checked whole car. He never found something wrong. Last autumn after long trip, my cousin added to reservoir about cup of antifreeze "universal" in green color. That "oil" in cooling tank with pink cooler was found few days ago. Later I check myself with wood chopstick which was whole cover with ugly mad. But engine is still running strong and smoothly. I hope it will serve me some time - though I am 82 already.

zjarguz

Dear Taz069
your directions were priceless. We flashed and changed system quick and easy.
the head gasket is OK. After that I drove 160 miles and a car run perfect.
Thanks a lot.